“Is it the fact that Melanie is still legally married?”
Cameron nodded.
“I get that. It’s a delicate balance. After my divorce, I never knew when the right time was to start dating or if I even wanted that. I guess that’s why I never went on any dates after the divorce. Chris has, though, so maybe you should ask him.”
“I’ll pass, thanks.” They laughed as Cameron tried to figure out how to word the feelings that had been gnawing at her since the first kiss. “I just don’t want to rush things. Mel has been my best friend for so long that I can’t lose her as a friend. And I don’t want to push her into a relationship before her divorce is final.”
Laura seemed to think before saying anything, which Cameron took a note from. She needed to learn that.
“Well, first off, I don’t think you’re pushing Mel into anything ifshe’sthe one pushingyouinto walls while kissing. And secondly, I don’t think you have to worry about your friendship going anywhere. I know you two and I’ve seen the love you’ve had for each other for over twenty years. Honestly, I’m just surprised it’s taken you two this long to finally admit your feelings for each other.”
Letting Laura’s words marinate, Cameron looked out the cafe’s window to the cove. It was beautiful in the fall with the multicolored leaves dotting the trees and sidewalks.
“I know I’m not the best one for relationship advice,” Laura continued, “but I fully support this. Really.”
“Thanks, Laura.”
“Have you and Mel talked about your next steps?”
Cameron shook her head. “Not really. I mean, kinda. We’re going to wait until her divorce is final before pursuing things further. Mel said that her lawyer said the divorce would be uncontested and Rob doesn’t want the house so it should be quick.”
“Is she using Blaire Anderson?” Laura asked, and Cameron nodded. “That’s good. She was my lawyer. Our divorce was quickandwe had the kids, so I’m sure she’ll have Mel and Rob divorced quickly so you can finally kiss her again.”
Laura winked, letting Cameron know she was teasing. Cameron dramatically groaned as she buried her face in her hands.
“Ugh, I don’t know if I can wait that long to kiss her again.”
“You’ve got itbad, Cam,” Laura laughed.
The remainder of their lunch together was filled with talks of their kids and work, which they both had to get back to. They rode the elevator up to Cameron’s floor together before saying goodbye and promising not to go so long without hanging out again.
Cameron felt better about the situation with Melanie after talking with Laura. It was refreshing to get the opinion of someone she was friends with but that wasn’t in her tighter knit friend circle. Laura made her feel at ease when she agreed Cameron wasn’t pushing Melanie into anything. If anything, Melanie had made the first move. All Cameron had to do now was make the next one.
Plopping down at her desk, Cameron tapped her fingers on her laptop. She needed to make a romantic move that didn’t screamromantic. Maybe more of a sweet gesture was what sheneeded to do for Melanie. But it had beenyearssince Cameron had tried to woo anyone, especially someone as wonderful as Melanie.
Chocolates?
No, too cliche.
Flowers?
Mel will just say she’ll kill them.
Dinner date?
Too romantic.
It needs to be perfect for Mel.
“Ugh,” Cameron groaned in the empty office. She was about to give up and start her afternoon appointments before she got an idea. Opening the laptop, she found exactly what she was looking for and sent it to Melanie. Cameron attached a note to it and set the delivery date for the next day. “Perfect.”
Beyond proud of herself, Cameron put her white coat on over her dress and headed to the nurses’ station to get an update on her next patient. Although Cameron tried to keep her afternoons light, she had a full schedule looming ahead of her. She desperately needed a coffee by the end of the day and was sad to find the coffee pot in the breakroom already cleaned and ready for the next day.
“Looking for this?” Melanie’s voice made her spin around in the empty break room. She leaned up against the doorframe, holding a cup of coffee in her hand.
“Is that for me?”
“Perhaps.” Melanie’s eyes locked with Cameron’s as they walked toward each other. She held out the cup to Cameron, who took it with a smile. “I thought you might need it.”
